View or borrow Yukon Archives exhibits

  • View our exhibits
  • Borrow an exhibit

  1. View our exhibits

    Exhibits on display

    We often have exhibits on display in our exhibition and reading rooms within the Yukon Archives building. There are also displays in the Hougen Heritage Gallery in Arts Underground, located at 305 Main Street in downtown Whitehorse.

    Browse our online exhibits

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  2. Borrow an exhibit

    Yukon Archives has a variety of exhibits that are available for organizations and institutions to borrow.

    A list of exhibit contents and formats is available below. You can also view the list at the reference room and administration office during our regular hours.

    All of the exhibits include text and reproductions of archival documents and historic photographs with related captions.

    You can borrow exhibits for up to 3 months.

    We will pay to send out exhibits. Borrowers are responsible for return shipping costs.

    Email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8061 to:

    • arrange to borrow any of the exhibits; or
    • get details on how to install an exhibit and the hardware components required.

    Exhibit formats

    The exhibits come in 3 display formats:

    Foam core panels

    The individual pieces of the exhibit are mounted on foam core. There are 3 different types of backings on these panels, which may affect how you display them.

    Velcro:

    • These displays require a backing board for the Velcro to stick (we do not provide these).
    • The panels can also be placed flat on a table.

    String:

    • These panels can be hung.

    Gallery-style:

    • These panels have holes on the back for hanging; they require hardware to mount.

    Laminated panels

    These are laminated sheets with Velcro adhesive on the back. They require a backing board for the Velcro to stick.

    Self-supporting panels

    These panels pull up from a base and are held in place by a pole. Some lock into a small set of poles that keep the panel upright.

    Exhibit descriptions

    A Thrilling Narrative: Documenting the Klondike Gold Rush

    This exhibit traces the history of gold discovery in Yukon. There was an influx of prospectors into the goldfields seeking to stake a claim. Some became instant millionaires, though hardship lay ahead for many of them. First Nations communities were greatly affected by the changes to the land. They adapted in various ways to the significant upheaval in their traditional lifestyles. Photographs depict scenes of remoteness and seclusion in the Klondike.

    • Format: Foam core, 74 pieces.

    The Art of the Ordinary: Us-Centric Photography [Vernacular Photos]

    The photographs in this exhibit were selected from many Yukon albums created by amateurs and everyday shutterbugs. Vernacular photography is everything that fine art photography is not—it's made up of ordinary, popular, everyday images. These quirks from the archives highlight undiscovered gems loved by the exhibit’s curator and shared for their poignancy and whimsy.

    • Format: Acrylic panels and photograph sheets, 1 box.

    Alaska Highway: A Yukon Perspective

    This exhibit includes photographs depicting a significant aspect of history in the development of Yukon.

    • Format: Foam core, 64 pieces.

    Hidden History: Asian History of the Yukon/L'histoire des Asiatiques au Yukon

    This exhibit explores the history of Asian immigrants in the Klondike through the 20th century. It's drawn from demographic records, newspapers and photographs. Topics include:

    • the effects of the Second World War on Asian populations in Yukon;
    • discrimination faced by early residents; and
    • issues of equality among citizens.
      • Format: Self-supporting panels, 3.
      • Bilingual.

    Hidden History: Black History of the Yukon/L'histoire des Noirs au Yukon

    This exhibit highlights Black history in Yukon. It begins mid-19th century with the Klondike Gold Rush years. It moves into the era of Alaska Highway construction. The promise of opportunity for enterprise attracted people regardless of race or status. Individuals are profiled in the context of historical events.

    • Format: Self-supporting panels, 3.
    • Bilingual.

    Klondike Roadmaps

    This exhibit uses postmodern theory to look at the hidden motives behind map production. During the Klondike Gold Rush, chambers of commerce and transportation companies made maps to promote certain routes to Yukon. They claimed these routes were safer and faster than others. They created cities that didn't exist and removed entire states and provinces.

    • Format: Foam core, 22 pieces, maps and text panels.

    Kwänlin/Whitehorse

    This exhibit links the development of the Whitehorse landscape to the Yukon River. The exhibit begins in the 1880s. First Nations people called the canyon and rapids Kwänlin. This means “water flowing through rock.”

    The story continues to the Klondike Gold Rush and the population decline in the 1920s. Then, Yukon's capital moved from Dawson City to Whitehorse during the boom years of the 1950s and 1960s. The Whitehorse waterfront was developed and drew festivals and recreation events. In recent years, waterfront development has remained steady, though controversial.

    • Format: Laminated panels, (3 feet x 5 feet).
    • Bilingual.

    Lantern Entertainment: Martha Louise Black’s Romance of Canada’s Goldfields

    This exhibit outlines events in the life of an extraordinary woman. It features reproductions of her hand-coloured lantern slides, made in the Klondike in the early 1900s. The slides reflect stories captured in Martha’s autobiography. There are landscapes and scenes of wildflowers, hunting, wildlife and gardens. Martha used the slides to illustrate the "Myth of the Yukon" in lectures she gave in North America and England.

    • Format: Foam core pieces, 20 photographs, caption panels.

    Phillpotts Family, Prepared to Serve

    This exhibit highlights the life of Reverend Joshua and Yvonne Phillpotts. They moved to Watson Lake from Jamaica in July 1965 with their 3 young children. Reverend Phillpotts served as a minister in Watson Lake. He also travelled to other Yukon communities for ministerial and volunteer duties. Yvonne worked as a nurse and midwife at the Watson Lake Hospital.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    Police for the People

    This exhibit tells the story of First Nations Special Constables from Yukon communities. They worked with the NWMP and RCMP from the Klondike Gold Rush to the 1990s. Their story is told through photographs, historical documents and oral history.

    • Format: Foam core, 254 pieces.

    Royal Moments in the Yukon

    There have been many visits from members of the Royal family to Yukon since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. This exhibit takes a look back at some of those “royal moments” in Yukon history.

    • Format: Foam core, 47 pieces.

    Sternwheelers of the Yukon/Les bateaux à aubes du Yukon

    This exhibit describes, through photographs, the history of sternwheelers in the development of Yukon's economy and communities.

    • Format: Self-supporting panels, 3 English panels 3 French panels (same text).
    • English and French versions.

    Togo Takamatsu, Enterprising Adventurer

    This exhibit provides a snapshot into the life of Togo (Tommy) Takamatsu. Togo was born in Japan in 1875. He ventured to Carcross in 1920 and worked briefly for the White Pass and Yukon Route until an accident forced him to change his lifestyle. Togo married and raised a young family in a cabin near Ten Mile.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    Venturing North: Hunter Family

    Lucile and Charles Hunter stampeded to the Klondike via the challenging Stikine Trail in 1897 – among very few black people trekking north. The Hunters staked Bonanza Creek claims in 1898 and operated a Grand Forks restaurant.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    Venturing North: Morgan Family

    Reita and Dudley Morgan left Jamaica to pursue careers and adventure in Canada. They were a strong team, raising a son and contributing to communities here and back home. Both Dudley and Reita earned Master of Social Work degrees. Vibrant northern life took root as they volunteered for many organizations.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    Venturing North: Socorro Alfonso

    Born in 1950 in the Philippines, Socorro travelled half way around the world to live in Yukon. Her name, Socorro, means "help" in Spanish. Throughout her life, she has been a caring helper for people of all ages. Arriving in Yukon in 1986, Socorro worked as a nanny for several Whitehorse families.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    Venturing North: Yoshikazu Tsukamoto

    Yoshikazu (Joe) Tsukamoto was born in New Westminster, BC, in 1925. After Joe’s mother died, his father took his children to Japan. Joe returned to Canada in 1941, beginning a lifelong career in agriculture. Joe came to Yukon in 1954 as Canada’s first northern agricultural research scientist at the experiential farm.

    • Format: Self-supporting panel, 1.

    What is an Archive?

    This exhibit outlines the role of archival institutions and archivists in society. It also covers the history of archives. Learn how to access rare and valuable records held at Yukon Archives. Explore the resources and services available through archival institutions. These resources include:

    • reference services;
    • genealogical sources;
    • maps;
    • diaries;
    • photographs;
    • newspapers;
    • films;
    • video recordings and more.
    • Format: Self-supporting panels, 4.

    Winter/L'hiver

    Winter shapes the people who live in it. They not only adapt to its challenges, but find inspiration there. Yukoners find unlimited ways to express their creativity. This includes snow-sculpting, storytelling and making snowshoes. This exhibit outlines some of the recreational activities used to pass time in the long winter season.

    • Format: Self-supporting panels, 4.
    • Bilingual.

    The Yukon & the First World War/Le Yukon et la Première Guerre mondiale

    When Great Britain declared war in August 4, 1914, it meant that Canada, as a colony of Great Britain, was also at war. Yukoners were proud of their contributions, but they came at an enormous cost. When the war ended in 1918, Yukon was very different from what it was when the war started.

    • Format: Self-supporting panels, 5.
    • English and French versions.

    La note francophone du Yukon/Yukon with a French touch

    Francophone settlers have played a significant role in Yukon communities. Before the Klondike Gold Rush, French-Canadian and Métis voyageurs were essential to the fur trade. Francophone settlers have had considerable involvement in the church and parliament. Today there is a vital community of French Canadians in Yukon. Culture and language are retained through festivals, music and schools.

    • Format:
      • Version 1: Large, self-supporting panels, 12.
      • Version 2: Small, self-supporting panels, 12.
    • Bilingual.

     

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